Lighting system, point source lights therefor and methods of making the same

ABSTRACT

A lighting system comprising at least one lighting assembly, the lighting assembly comprising at least one ultraviolet light source, means for separately controlling ultraviolet light source and a mounting base, the mounting base carrying the ultraviolet light source with the means for separately controlling disposed remote therefrom, lighting assemblies of the lighting system mounted upon a portion of the side of a boat wherein the ultraviolet light source comprises an array of point lights.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application is a continuation of Applicants' application Ser. No.11/205,683, filed on 17 Aug. 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,291,852 issued on6 Nov. 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an ultraviolet fishing lighting system forfishing at night enabling the fisherperson to observe the movement of afluorescent fishing line when a fish is biting at the lure.

2. Prior Art Statement

In the practice of sport fishing, especially bass tournaments, it iscustomary for the fisherperson to observe the line for movement toindicate when a fish has first taken the bait. Professionalfisherpersons observe the line just prior to the point at which the lineenters the water and the line as it lays upon the surface of the water.The recreational sport fisherperson usually observes the line at the endof the pole or between the end of the pole and the water. Observation ofthe line is relatively easy during daytime hours, however, the nightfisherperson must rely upon fluorescent line and an ultraviolet light,commonly called a black light, which illuminates the fluorescent line.The market has a number of ultraviolet light units which may be attachedto the gunwale of a boat using suction cups or the like. The size,mounting and configuration of these ultraviolet light units impedes thepractice of sport fishing as the units are generally in the line ofcasting and are subject to being dislodged from the gunwale of the boatand thus lost. Furthermore, the ultraviolet light emanating from theseunits casts a pall over the entire area of the chosen fishing spot oftenalso shining directly into the eyes of the fisherperson. Therefore,there is a great need to improve the “black light” commonly used bynight fisherpersons by eliminating the “pall”, directing the lighttoward the objects to be observed and readily and/or securely mountingthe light.

It is known to provide a fishing lighting system comprising at least onelighting assembly which comprises at least one ultraviolet light source,at least one white light source and a means for separately controllingthe light sources and a mounting base, the mounting base carrying thelight sources and the means for separately controlling wherein thefishing lighting system is integral with a portion of the gunwale of aboat. For instance, see the U.S. Pat. No. 6,474,851 B1 issued on Nov. 5,2002, to David Baley. The Baley lighting system has been found to beuseful for the purposes claimed therein, however, it has also found thatthe white light is unnecessary, the base occupies a significant lengthof the gunwale or gunwale rub strip and is therefore subject to damageduring docking and finally, the UV light source is diffuse and thus notproperly directed. Therefore, there is a great need for a concentratedUV light source that is directed toward region of usage, has sufficientintensity at least 40 feet and is readily protected from theenvironment.

It is also known to provide a fluorescent fishing light mounted to agunwale of a boat by suction cups. For instance, see the U.S. DesignPat. 299,550 issued on Jan. 24, 1989 to Duncan M. Payne. A separateshield mounted to the top of the light is now required to keep the lightfrom shining in the face of fisherpersons using this light. Thisdiffuse, undirected, scattered light casts a general pall about theentire environment making viewing of the fishing line strained. Thegeneral pall also attracts bugs to the light. There is a need for afocused UV light source which has sufficient intensity to enhanceviewing of the fishing line, is directed toward the region of usage, caneasily be substantially permanently mounted to the boat, protected fromthe environment and which diminishes attraction of bugs.

It is further known to provide a lighting strip mounted in the bumperguard for the boat to provide for the ship's directional lighting. Forinstance, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,495,401 issued on Feb. 27, 1996 to GrahamP. Evans. These strips require 250 volts AC power normally not availableon a fishing boat thus requiring a separate power source. Additionally,the lighting strip cannot be used for fishing as the light does notproject far from the bumper guard but is merely observed to be presentwhen viewed. Thus, there is a need for a fishing lighting system usingelectrical power available on a small fishing boat which may alsofunction as a lighting strip for identification.

It is further known to provide a cargo vehicle perimeter clearancelighting system including an elongated core light conducting strip cladabout its cross section with a translucent material layer having anindex of refraction different from that of the core material to producea light guide. The lighting strip is illuminated by a light sourcehaving light focusing reflectors to end-illuminate the light guide. Forinstance, see the U.S. Pat. No. 4,947,293 issued on Aug. 7, 1990 toJohnson, et al. It has been found by the inventors of the instantapplication that use of ultraviolet light for the light source does notradiate ultraviolet light from the translucent material of the Johnson,et al. patent and therefore there is a need for an ultraviolet lightingsystem that radiates light in a specific direction, has sufficientintensity to illuminate a desired region, can be readily mounted andprotected from the environment.

William L. Hassler, Jr., in his U.S. Pat. No. 4,954,931 issued 4 Sep.1990 claims a light source for producing a relatively uniform dispersedlight emission along a length of a light bar, the bar comprising a prismmade of polycarbonate having one frosted face and having a LightEmitting Diode lighting source in at least one end thereof. The lightbar is illuminated but does not transmit light away from the light bar.Furthermore, it is been found by the inventors of the instantapplication that the ultraviolet inhibitors in the polycarbonate barblocks ultraviolet light from passing from the polycarbonate prism ofthe Hassler, Jr., patent. Therefore, there is a need for an ultravioletlight source which may be readily placed upon, or secured to, a fishingvessel wherein the ultraviolet light source projects a directedultraviolet light outwardly from the fishing vessel.

It is also known to provide a boat light system comprising a housinghaving top and bottom ends with a pair of elongate light sources mountedin the housing electrically connected to a plug at the lower end of thehousing wherein a first light source emits black fluorescent light andthe second light source emits a white fluorescent light, the housingmounted on the centerline of the boat at the front and/or the rear ofthe boat. For instance, see the U.S. Pat. No. 6,174,078, issued on 16Jan. 2001 to Ohm, et al. The fluorescent lights, so mounted, interferewith the normal navigational lights of the boat and the black light is asource of irritation to the fisherperson while fishing. Therefore, thereis a great need for a UV light source that projects a directed UV lightoutwardly from the side edge of the fishing vessel that protects thefisherperson from the UV light rays.

Furthermore, it is known to provide ultraviolet lamps on a head strapfor night viewing of fluorescing objects including, but not limited to,monofilament fishing line, tattoos, invisible ink, golf balls andscorpions. For instance, see the LED Ultraviolet Headlamps availablefrom Black Light World, P.O. Box 26, Cub Run, Ky. 42729 or the UV LEDBlacklight Headlight with Adjustable Elastic Band for Scorpion Detectingavailable from Erin Sheffo, 3912 Nantasket St. Pittsburgh, Pa., 15207.The ultraviolet head lamps available are good for close-in viewing ofluminescing objects but the luminescent strength is insufficient forprofessional night fishing. Additionally, these ultraviolet head lampsseem to cast a general pall over areas remote from the immediatevicinity of the lamp thus limiting the effectiveness thereof. Thus, theneed for an ultraviolet light source which is directed outwardly fromthe fishing vessel is still needed.

Finally, it is known to provide a gazing point illuminating devicecomprising an LED panel including one or a plurality of LEDs attached togoggles or eyeglasses wherein an LED panel is placed at each of the leftand an right end of the goggles or eyeglasses. For instance, see theU.S. Pat. No. 6,554,444 B2 issued on 29 Apr. 2003 to Shimada, et al. Thefocal distance and light intensity of the LEDs may be varied, however,the eyeglasses or goggles have driving motors to adjust to the focus ofthe light sources dependent upon the gaze of the wearer. The gazingpoint illuminating device is primarily used for medical operations,however, ostensibly could be used for observing a floating bobber in afishing environment. Still, ultraviolet LED's are added to the whitelight LED's which defeats the purpose of the UVLED. Furthermore, thecost of such a device would be prohibitive for most fisherpersons andthe goggles or glasses would still subject to being lost. Therefore,there is still a great need for an ultraviolet light source which may bereadily placed upon, or secured to, a fishing vessel wherein theultraviolet light source projects a directed the ultraviolet lightoutwardly from the fishing vessel and wherein the ultraviolet lightsource is protected from the environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Commonly used night fishing lighting systems heretofore have beenportable bulky devices attached to the gunwale of a boat with suctioncups and hence were subject to being lost as they are readily removedfrom the gunwale. Furthermore, these commonly used fishing lightingsystems cast a general pall of blue light over the area of observationwhich has led to eye fatigue. A prior art device having white lightLED's outboard of the eye pieces of eyeglasses or goggles has beenproposed, however, as herein before stated the cost of such eyeglassesor goggles is prohibitive for most fisherpersons and the goggles arealso subject to loss. In one night fishing lighting system, white lightand ultraviolet light fluorescent bulbs are mounted on a housing madeintegral with the rub strip of the fishing boat, however, the use offluorescent bulbs still cast a general pall over the entire area ofobservation, and, in general, the white light has been found beunnecessary. Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide alighting assembly for a fishing lighting system which comprises at leastone ultraviolet light source, means for separately controlling theultraviolet light source and a mounting base wherein the mounting basecarries the ultraviolet light source and may additionally carry themeans for separately controlling and wherein the fishing lighting systemis mounted upon a portion of the side of a boat, the ultraviolet lightsource comprising an array of point source lights.

One significant feature of this invention is to provide a fishinglighting assembly for a fishing lighting system which comprises at leastone ultraviolet light source mounted to a mounting base wherein a meansfor controlling the ultraviolet source is remote from the mounting baseand wherein the fishing lighting system is adapted to be mounted upon aportion of the gunwale of a boat, the ultraviolet light sourcecomprising an array of point source lights.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a lighting assemblycomprising a plurality of point source lights in an array wherein thepoint source lights are arranged in a substantially horizontal planeupon a mounting base, the point source lights spaced apart at intervalsup to about 2 feet.

One goal of this invention is to a provide lighting assembly comprisinga plurality of point source lights arranged in a substantiallyhorizontal plane upon a mounting base wherein the point source lightshave a wide viewing angle, preferably at least 45 degrees. Preferablythough, the point source lights are spaced apart at intervals from about½ inch to about two feet and have a narrow viewing angle between aboutfive degrees to about 45 degrees.

One purpose of this invention is to provide a lighting assemblycomprising a plurality of point source lights arranged in asubstantially horizontal plane upon a mounting base, the point sourcelights preferably having a wide viewing angle and wherein lightemanating from one point source light overlaps light emanating from anadjacent point source light.

A significant aim of this invention is to provide a lighting assemblycomprising a plurality of point source light which are selected from thegroup comprising incandescent bulbs, high intensity bulbs and lightemitting diodes.

Another object of this invention is to provide a fishing lightingassembly comprising a plurality of point source lights arranged in asubstantially horizontal plane upon a mounting base, wherein lightemanating from one point source light overlaps light emanating from anadjacent point source light at a specified distance from the mountingbase.

Another goal of this invention is to provide a fishing lighting assemblycomprising a plurality of point source lights arranged in an array upona mounting base wherein light from each of the array of point sourcelights is projected into a series of adjacent to overlapping circles ata specified distance from mounting base wherein the point source lightsare selected from the group comprising incandescent bulbs, highintensity bulbs and light emitting diodes.

And other purpose of this invention is to provide an ultravioletlighting array which comprises a plurality of ultraviolet light emittingdiodes arranged in a pattern wherein the lighting array casts aplurality of lighting cones in a generally outward direction forobservation of the movement of a fluorescent line of a fishing system.

At least one another object of this invention is to provide a lightingassembly for a fishing lighting system comprising a base, at least oneultraviolet light emitting diode (UVLED) mounted on the base wherein thebase has an integrated circuit and an electrical power source associatedwith the base and a cover protecting the UVLED, the integrated circuitand the power source.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an enlarged perspective view of an alternate embodiment of thelighting assembly of this invention shown mounted upon a generallyvertical surface of the side edge of a boat such as the side wall above,within or below the rub strip on the gunwale or on a vertical decksupport of a pontoon boat.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a boat having at least one embodiment ofthe lighting assembly mounted thereupon showing light emanating from thelighting assembly for use in night fishing.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the preferred embodiment ofthe lighting assembly of this invention shown mounted upon a generallyhorizontal surface of the boat such as the top of the gunwale.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of tapered mounting plates for aiming thelighting assembly of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While the various features of this invention are hereinafter describedand illustrated as a an ultraviolet lighting array comprising aplurality of ultraviolet point light sources arranged in a patternwherein the lighting array casts a plurality of lighting cones in agenerally outward direction for observation of the movement of afluorescent line of a fishing system, it is to be understood that thevarious features of this invention can be used singly or in variouscombinations thereof for a lighting assembly especially for a lightingsystem as can hereinafter be appreciated from a reading of the followingdescription.

Referring now to the Figures, a lighting system 10 such as a fishinglighting system 100 shown in FIG. 2, lighting system 10 comprising atleast one lighting assembly 11 of FIGS. 1 and 3, wherein lightingassembly 11 comprises at least one ultraviolet light source 12 carriedin a mounting base 14, fishing lighting system 100 preferably mountedupon a portion 15 of the side 16 of a boat 17 wherein ultraviolet lightsource 12 comprises an array 18 of point source lights 19. Preferably, aplurality of point source lights 19 of array 18 are arranged withinmounting base 14 having the central axes 26 of a some of the pointsource lights 19 arranged on a substantially horizontal plane andadditional point source lights 19 arranged on a plane inclined from thehorizontal plane. Lighting system 10 may further comprise a plurality oflighting assemblies 11 spaced apart at intervals of at least 2 inches,however, alternate arrangements have been found by the instant inventorsto be beneficial for fishing, decorative purposes or identification.

According to the teachings of this invention, point source lights 19were selected with wavelengths spanning the region from inside thevisible spectrum into the ultraviolet region. Twenty-three point sourcelights 19 were individually lighted to determine a distance D from thelocation of the point source light 19 which would allow for observationof a 6 pound test fluorescent fishing line. Generally, point sourcelights 19 having shorter peak wavelengths provided visibility at greaterdistances, however, point source lights 19 were selected throughout therange of wavelengths from 390 nm to 408 nm for a direct comparison witha conventional “black light.” The conventional “black light” comprisesan ultraviolet fluorescent tube carried in a housing, the conventional“black light” fully described in the aforementioned U.S. Design Pat.299,550 issued on Jan. 24, 1989 to Duncan M. Payne.

Initially, linear arrays 18 of five point source lights 19 of each offive different wavelengths for a total of 25 point source lights, werearranged in separate parallel planes, point source lights 19 of eachlinear array 18 spaced at intervals of ½ in. upon a circuit board, pointsource lights 19 having axes 26-26 d thereof lying parallel to eachother upon the substantially horizontal plane. By switching between theconventional “black light” and each of the linear arrays 18, it wasfound that point source lights 19 having a viewing angle 21 of 30degrees and a dominant wavelength of 395 nm provided the best visibilityof a fluorescent line at fifty (50) feet for point source lights 19 atthe edge of the visible spectrum. The conventional “black light,”although casting a general pall over the entire viewing range, stillappeared to have a wider field of vision. Thus, it was determined thatpoint source lights 19 should be angled relative to one another and/orspaced at greater distances to achieve the wider field of visionprovided by the conventional “black light.”

In a second experimental apparatus, generally shown in FIG. 3 and nowcomprising a preferred embodiment, one point source light 19, centrallydisposed on the horizontal plane within mounting base 14 and nowdesignated central light 25, was arranged with axis 26 generallyparallel to mounting surface 29 of mounting base 14. Point source lights19 a, 19 b on the horizontal plane immediately adjacent to central light25 had respective axes 26 a, 26 b disposed at angle 24 away from axis 26of central light 25 by about 30 degrees. Thus, three point source lights19 were arranged upon a circuit board within mounting base 14 producinga 90 degree field of vision, however, it was determined that additionalpoint source lights 19 outboard of the initial three point source lights19, 19 a, 19 b would provide for a substantially 150 degree field ofvisibility by angling the axes 26 of the outboard point source lights 19c, 19 d at an angle of 60 degrees from axis 26 of central light 25.Therefore, the outboard point source lights 19 c, 19 d were canted atangle 24 of 30 degrees from the next inboard point source light 19 a, 19c respectively. In this second apparatus, it was determined that pointsource light 19-19 d having viewing angle 21 of 30 degrees, peakwavelength of 405 nm and a dominant wavelength of 395 nm provided thebest visibility of a fluorescent line at specified distance D feet whileproviding a much darker overall environment. It was also determined thatthe preferred point source light 19 did not attract bugs to lightingassembly 11 nor when coupled with at least one other lighting assembly11 to comprise lighting system 10.

Linear array 18 of point source lights 19 of the preferred embodimentidentified just above as shown in FIG. 3, produced a band of light 22shown at the aft location 32 of boat 17, band of light 22 comprising aplurality of substantially tangent areas 27 at specified distance D,however, it was again determined by the teachings of this invention thatin order to satisfy the recreational fisherperson and to allow forrolling and pitching of a boat, band of light 22 would need to encompassa larger vertical field of vision above the water surface. Therefore, asfurther shown in FIG. 3, additional point source lights 19 e-19 i, werearranged within mounting base 14 with axes 26 e-26 i disposed at anangle 33 upwards from the substantially horizontal plane, angle 33 inthe range from of up to about 60 degrees. When angle 33 is preferablyabout 15 degrees, cone 28 of light source 12 from point source light 19e overlaps cones 28 of light 20 from central light 25 and point sourcelight 19 b generally as shown at the forward location 34 of boat 17 inFIG. 2. It should be fully understood here that cones 28 of lightsources 12 of additional point source lights 19-19 i overlap immediatelyadjacent cones 28 of light sources 12 of point source lights 19-19 d.Therefore, the intensity of light 20 from light source 12 at distance Dgenerally outwardly along the horizontal plane from mounting base 14,effectively the same as the distance from the fisherperson observer, isaugmented by point source lights 19 e-19 i arranged on the planeinclined above the substantially horizontal plane. Though the lightingassemblies 11 of this invention generally comprise at least one up toabout ten point source lights 19, additional point source lights 19 maybe provided in array 18 without departing from the scope of thisinvention. It has also been found by the teachings of this inventionthat when point source lights 19 having different intensities are usedtogether, only the point source light 19 having the highest intensityilluminates the line and therefore, it is important to ensure that pointsource lights 19 are matched in intensity as well as wavelength.

Preferably, point source lights 19 of fishing lighting system 10 have awide viewing angle 21 of at least 45 degrees wherein wide viewing angle21 is defined as an included angle centrally disposed around pointsource lights 19. Thus, light 20 emanating from one point source light19 overlaps light 20 emanating from an adjacent point source light 19such that the object to be lighted, such as a fishing line, may beobserved over a complete range of vision of the observer. Thus, afluorescent line cast by a fisherperson may readily be observed formovement especially at or near the water line at a distance D when baiton the end of the line is first taken by a fish.

Point source lights 19 may be selected from the group comprisingincandescent bulbs, high intensity bulbs and light emitting diodes, butpreferably are light emitting diodes 23 having light 20 emitted at awavelength between 300 and 450 nm, an apparent luminescence of at leastforty (40) millicandela, (mcd) and a viewing angle of up to sixty (60)degrees. In the preferred embodiment, light 20 is emitted from lightemitting diodes 23 at a peak wavelength of 405 nm, just inside thevisible region of 390 to 770 nm with light on either side of the peakwavelength extending into the ultraviolet region down to about 380 nm.The dominant wavelength in the preferred light emitting diode 23 is 395nm, the preferred viewing angle is 30 degrees and the apparentluminescence is 40 mcd (approximately 0.059 milliwatts per steradian).Table 1 shows engineering data for the various LED's tested in thesecond experimental apparatus described above, with the fifth columncontaining the preferred point source light 19 for light spanning therange from UV to just inside the visible spectrum.

In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3, point source lights 19 aredisposed at angles 24 relative to a centrally disposed point sourcelight 19, here identified as central light 25. Angle 24 between centrallight 25 and an adjacent point source light 19 is up to 45 degrees,however, may be greater than 45 degrees where luminescence of pointsource light 19 is exceedingly great. Preferably, angle 24 is aboutequal to viewing angle 21 of point source light 19. Angle 24 may also bevaried where viewing angle 21 is greater than 30 degrees and/or thepreferred spacing specified below is exceeded. Where more than two pointsource lights 19 are mounted upon mounting base 14, angle 24 betweenpoint source light 19 adjacent central light 25 and another outboardadjacent point source light 19 is up to about 45 degrees, however, againangle 24 may be greater than 45 degrees as specified above. Thus, byarranging point source lights 19 close together as in the preferredembodiment, angle 24 is preferably 30 degrees making lighting cones 28adjacent. It has been found by the teachings of this invention thatpoint source lights 19 are best utilized when closely packed andarranged on different planes. Fishing lighting system 10 then generallycomprises a plurality of lighting assemblies 11 spaced apart atintervals of at least two inches and more particularly, when lightingassemblies 11 are spaced at an intervals of about six feet.

In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3, point source lights 19 have anarrow viewing angle 21 of less than 45 degrees, generally being of upto about 45 degrees wherein light 20 emanating from one point sourcelight 19 overlaps light 20 emanating from an adjacent point source light19 at specified distance D from mounting base 14. When so arranged,light 20 from array 18 of point source lights 19-19 d is projected intoa series of adjacent to overlapping areas 27 at specified distance Dfrom mounting base 14 thus providing the observer with a relativelycomplete viewing of the object to be viewed. In addition, point sourcelights 19 may be arranged in other configurations, one configurationfound to be particularly beneficial by the teachings of this inventionhas at least one point source light 19 e-19 i disposed at an angle 24relative to central light 25 and at angle 33 relative to thesubstantially horizontal plane thus providing at least one adjacentoverlapping area 27 spaced above or below the substantially horizontalplane thus providing a more complete viewing by the viewer. In thisembodiment, angle 24 of at least of one point source lights 19 e-19 i isarranged with its axis 26 out of the horizontal plane of up to 45degrees. In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3, there are generally fivepoint source lights 19-19 d on the substantially horizontal plane andfive point source lights 19 e-19 i on the plane inclined above thehorizontal plane, all point source lights 19-19 i mounted withinmounting base 14. Mounting base 14 has point source light receivingholes 35 disposed in a frontal surface 30 thereof, frontal surface 30generally perpendicular to mounting surface 29. Point source lights19-19 i are fitted within point source light receiving holes 35 and mayprotrude slightly therefrom. Preferably, mounting base 14 has a hood 50extending from the upper surface 36 thereof, hood 50 shielding theobserver from the ultraviolet light emanating from point light sources19-19 i. Mounting base 14 may further have an inclined portion 37 offrontal surface 30 wherein inclined surface 37 is perpendicular to theplane inclined from the horizontal plane. As the inclined plane may beup to 45 degrees from the substantially horizontal plane, portion 37 maybe thus be used as an visual indication of the amount of angulardisplacement of the inclined plane from the horizontal plane, it beingfully understood here that portion 37 may be inclined at any angle up to45 degrees. Mounting base 14 is most preferably mounted to upper surface48 of the gunwale of boat 17 by mounting screws 51 passing through screwholes 40, screw holes 40 having a recess 41 therein for receiving andrecessing the head 52 of the screw 51 below top surface 36 of mountingbase 14. Although screws are the preferred means of mounting, othermounting structures may be used to advantage. For instance, mountingbase 14 may be provided with an adhesive mount on mounting surface 29 orscrews 51 may be screwed into suction cups 42 found in FIG. 4. Inaddition, as few boats 17 have upper surface 48 of the gunwale parallelto the surface of the water, at least one tapered base 38 may beemployed to provide light from point source lights 19-19 d on a planesubstantially parallel to the surface of the water by raising one edgeof mounting base 14 relative to upper surface 48 of the gunwale of boat17. Preferably, a plurality of tapered bases 38 of differing thicknessare provided with mounting base 14 for leveling. It may be necessary touse more than one tapered base 38 in order to achieve the properalignment of light from point light sources 19-19 i. As mounting base 14may be removably mounted to upper surface 48 of the gunwale, lightingassembly 11 is thus portable and may be moved from one location toanother. Furthermore, it is within the scope of this invention to mountat least one lighting assembly 11 on a separate, movable structure, suchas a tackle box wherein the lighting system 10 thus produced is readilyportable. Of course, it is also within the scope of this invention toprovide a depressed area 44 in upper surface 48 of the gunwale of boat17 wherein lighting assembly 10 is mounted therein, depressed area 44preferably produced at the production of boat 17.

Referring now to the alternate embodiment of FIG. 1, LEDs 19 a and 19 bare arranged in a straight line on the horizontal plane having thecentral axes 26 thereof angled outwardly by angle 24, light from LEDs 19a and 19 b projecting light substantially outwardly along the horizontalplane while point light sources 19 e and 19 f are mounted within base 14at angle 33 relative to LEDs 19 a and 19 b. As herein before described,point light sources 19 a, 19 b are disposed at an angle of approximately30 degrees relative to each other and point light sources 19 e, 19 f arearranged at an angle of up to about 30 degrees upwardly relative to thehorizontal plane described by point light sources 19 a, 19 b. Base 14also preferably has wedge shape elements 38 of FIG. 4 for engagementwith mounting surface 29 of lighting assemblies 11 for aiming of light20 from ultraviolet light sources 12 emanating from lighting assemblies11 in the desired direction generally parallel to the surface of thewater. In this alternate embodiment, lighting assembly 11 for fishinglighting array 18 comprises an oval base 14 with at least oneultraviolet light emitting diode 23 (UVLED) mounted in mounting base 14generally as shown in FIG. 1. Base 14 may further comprise an integratedcircuit board and an electrical power connection associated with base14, lighting assembly 11 also preferably having a cover 31 protectingUVLED 23 and the integrated circuit and power connection if included.Preferably, however, lighting assembly 11 comprises only point lightsources 19 a, 19 b, 19 e and 19 f mounted in mounting base 14 withelectrical leads 43 extending therefrom. Lighting assembly 11 of thisalternate embodiment may be mounted on side 16 of boat 17 either above,below or within the rub strip of the gunwale and coupled with othersimilar lighting assemblies 11 in array 18 along side 16. Ashereinbefore stated, lighting assemblies 11 may be placed at intervalsalong side 16 to achieve the desired amount of UV light at distance Dfrom lighting assembly 11. In fact, it has been found most beneficial tomount one lighting assembly 11 of this alternate embodiment on side 16below the rub strip at each fishing location and at least one otherlighting assembly 11 below the rub strip between the forward and aftfishing locations. Since lighting assemblies 11 are below the rub strip,it is usually unnecessary to provide a hood 50 over lighting assemblies11, however, certain rub strip configurations may require mountinglighting assemblies 11 above the rub strip. When necessary to mountabove the rub strip, cover 31 may be used over lighting assemblies 11wherein a portion of cover 31 is made opaque to shield the observer'seyes from the UV light. Mounting surface 29 of lighting assembly 11 ofthis alternate embodiment is generally perpendicular to the planedescribed by light 20 from point light sources 19 a and 19 b and thuscan be mounted directly to a vertical surface 49 such as an upright decksupport of a pontoon boat or side 16 of boat 17. Oval tapered bases 38are provided to aim light 20 from ultraviolet light sources 12 generallyparallel to the surface of the water where vertical surface 49 is notperpendicular to the surface of the water. Alternate lighting assemblies11 may also be mounted directly to vertical surface 49 with screws 51,adhered to vertical surface 49 with an adhesive or removably affixedthereto with suction cups 42. Most preferably, alternate lightingassemblies 11 are mounted in a preformed recess 45 shown in FIG. 1adjacent lighting assembly 11. Preformed recess 45 is preferably provideat the time of manufacture of boat 17.

As power on a fishing vessel is commonly 12 volts DC, the integratedcircuit board is usually disposed remote from lighting assemblies 11 andcarries resistors in series with each lighting assembly 11 in order tosupply the proper forward voltage of 3.7 to 4.0 volts DC to the UVLEDs23 of lighting assembly 11. Preferably, a means for controlling lightingassemblies 11 is also disposed remote from lighting assembly 11 forready access by the fisherperson. Typically, UVLEDs 23 drawapproximately 20 milliamps and therefore, for each UVLED 23, aresistance of 400 ohms is typically used, however, since the preferredlighting assemblies 11 of this invention comprise a cluster of UVLEDs 23arranged in array 18, the resistor on the circuit board in sizedaccording to the number of UVLEDs 23 in array 18. FIG. 1 shows aplurality of UVLEDs 23 arranged within mounting base 14, however, it isto be fully understood that a single UVLED 23 could comprise lightingassembly 11. The construction of printed circuit boards is widely knownin the field and therefore description of the method of producing acircuit board, the method of surface mounting of UVLEDs 23, resistorsand means for controlling need not be described herein.

Thus, it may be said that ultraviolet lighting array 18 comprises aplurality of ultraviolet light emitting diodes 23 arranged in a pattern,lighting array 18 casting a plurality of lighting cones 28 in agenerally outward direction for observation of the movement of afluorescent line of a fishing apparatus. Of course, lighting array 18may be used for other purposes such as decorative lighting,identification lighting or mood lighting. It should also be understoodthat any fluorescing object within lighting cones 28 would be at leastpartially observed depending upon the distance the fluorescing objectlies from the closest ultraviolet light source 12 of ultravioletlighting array 18.

Another pattern for point light sources 19 is array 18 of lightingassemblies 11 arranged at intervals of about two feet along side 16 of afishing vessel 17 each point light source 19 mounted within mountingbase 14. Point source lights 19 may each be provided with the properforward voltage of 3.7 to 4.0 Vdc, however, a plurality of lightingassemblies 11 may be fed from a single power source providing theforward voltage to the plurality of lighting assemblies 11. Point sourcelights 19 have a viewing angle 21 of up to 60 degrees, however, it hasbeen found that to provide for overlapping areas 27 of light 20 fromultraviolet light sources 12 at a distance of 50 feet for point lightsources 19 arranged at two foot intervals, viewing angle 21 ispreferably less than 10 degrees and more specifically about 5 degrees.Arranging point light sources 19 at two foot intervals produces anarrow, but intense, field of vision at the specified distance of 50feet, however, cones 28 of light 20 from ultraviolet light sources 12are not adjacent and thus areas adjacent the fishing vessel 17 are notilluminated by light 20 from ultraviolet light sources 12. Furthermore,the field of vision is essentially limited to the length of the fishingvessel 17 plus the size of one area 27. Therefore, array 18 of pointsource lights 19 generally has point source lights 19 spaced atintervals of less than two feet, has point source lights 19 with agreater viewing angle 21 and has point source lights 19 outboard ofcentral light 25 angled outwardly therefrom as recited in the preferredembodiment in order to increase the field of vision. Additional lightingassemblies 11 may then be placed along side 16 as desired by theobserver.

In yet another embodiment, lighting assembly 11 may be mounted on an endof a flexible tube wherein the flexible tube may be wrapped around acleat to direct light 20 from ultraviolet light source 12 outwardly fromside 16. Alternately, the flexible tube could be centrally mounted at ornear the fore and aft fishing locations wherein the flexible tube may bepointed outwardly from boat 17.

While the present invention has been described with reference to theabove described preferred embodiments and alternate embodiments, itshould be noted that various other embodiments and modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, theembodiments described herein and the drawings appended hereto are merelyillustrative of the features of the invention and should not beconstrued to be the only variants thereof nor limited thereto.

TABLE 1 5 MM 5 MM 5 MM 5 MM 5 MM 5 MM 5 MM Diameter InGaN InGaN InGaNInGaN Material VIOLET UV DICE PURPLE UV UV UVC VIOLET Emitted ColorCLEAR CLEAR CLEAR CLEAR CLEAR CLEAR CLEAR Lens Color 20 ma 20 ma 20 ma30 ma 20 ma 30 ma 20 ma Forward current (−20/+75 ) C (−40/+80) C(−25/+85) c (−25/+85) c (−40/+85) c (−40/+85) C Operating Temp(−40/+100) C (−35/+100) C (−40/+85 ) c (−40/+85) C Storage Temp 260 c @5 sec 260 c @ 5 sec 260 c @ 5 sec 260 c @ 5 sec 260 c @ 5 sec 260 c @ 5sec Soldering Temp 1000 v Electrostatic Disc 170 mw 120 mw 80 mw 100 mw80 mw Power dissipation 120 ma 100 ma 100 ma 100 ma 100 ma 100 ma PeakFwd Current 5 v 5 v 5 v 5 v 5 v 5 v Reverse voltage 3.5/4.0 3.4/3.63.7/4.0 3.6/4.5 3.8/4.2 3.5/4.0 Forward voltage 500/800 mcd = 150 mcd =10 mcd = 40 mcd = 140 mw/sr = 50 mcd = Luminescence .73-1.17 mw/sr 0.22mw/sr 0.016 mw/sr 0.059 mw/sr 95620 mcd (typ) .073 mw/sr 30 d 30 d 25 d30 d 30 d 20 d 30 d Viewing angle 390 nm 400 nm 402 nm 395 nm 405 nm 400nm 395 nm Peak wavelength 405 nm 395 nm 395 nm Dominant waveln 20 nm 25nm Spectrum width

1. A lighting assembly for a lighting system, said lighting assemblycomprising at least one ultraviolet light source, a mounting base andmeans for powering said at least one ultraviolet light source, saidmounting base carrying said at least one ultraviolet light source, saidlighting system mounted upon a portion of a side of a boat, said atleast one ultraviolet light source comprising an array of point sourcelights arranged upon said mounting base in at least one linear array. 2.A lighting assembly as in claim 1 wherein said point source lights ofsaid array are arranged in a substantially horizontal plane upon saidmounting base.
 3. A lighting assembly as in claim 2 wherein said pointsource lights are spaced apart at intervals up to about 2 feet.
 4. Alighting assembly as in claim 3 wherein said point source lights have awide viewing angle.
 5. A lighting assembly as in claim 4 wherein saidwide viewing angle is at least 45 degrees.
 6. A lighting assembly as inclaim 5 wherein light emanating from one said point source lightoverlaps light emanating from an adjacent said point source light.
 7. Alighting assembly as in claim 6 wherein said point source lights areselected from the group comprising incandescent bulbs, high intensitybulbs and light emitting diodes.
 8. A lighting assembly for a lightingsystem as in claim 1 wherein at least one said mounting base carryingsaid array of point source lights is mounted on a side of a fishingvessel below a rub strip at least one forward fishing location and atleast one other mounting base carrying said array of point source lightsis mounted on a side of a fishing vessel below a rub strip at least oneaft fishing locations.
 9. An ultraviolet lighting array comprises aplurality of ultraviolet light emitting diodes arranged in at least onelinear pattern upon a base, said lighting array casting a plurality oflighting cones in a generally outward direction from said base forobservation of the movement of a fluorescent line of a fishing system.10. An ultraviolet lighting array as in claim 9 wherein said linearpattern comprises up to about ten point source lights.
 11. Anultraviolet lighting array as in claim 10 wherein said point sourcelights are closely spaced upon said base.
 12. An ultraviolet lightingarray as in claim 9 wherein said base is placed upon a side portion of afishing vessel.
 13. An ultraviolet lighting array as in claim 9 whereinsaid base is secured to a portion of a gunwale of a boat.
 14. Anultraviolet lighting array as in claim 13 wherein said base is securedto an edge of said gunwale.
 15. An ultraviolet lighting array as inclaim 14 wherein said base is mounted within a rub strip of saidgunwale.
 16. An ultraviolet lighting array as in claim 15 wherein saidbase comprises a rub strip of said gunwale.
 17. A lighting assembly fora fishing lighting system comprising a base, at least one ultravioletlight emitting diode (UVLED), said at least one UVLED mounted on saidbase, said base having an integrated circuit and an electrical powersource associated with said base, said lighting assembly having a coverprotecting said UVLED, said one UVLED on said base spaced from at leastone other adjacent UVLED on said base at intervals of up to about 2feet.
 18. An ultraviolet lighting array as in claim 17 wherein said oneUVLED on said base is contiguous to at least one adjacent UVLED.
 19. Anultraviolet lighting array as in claim 17 wherein said one UVLED andsaid at least one other UVLED project a band of ultraviolet light intotangent areas at specified distance from said base.
 20. An ultravioletlighting array as in claim 19 wherein said specified distance from saidbase is 50 feet.